VA Beach? I don’t think that qualifies as the DC area, unless something changed in the 6 months since I moved…
Alexandria would be perfect for me.
I’ll roger up on GBS’s suggestion.
Anywhere south of DC’d be OK w/me.
Alexandria is about 1000 meters south of DC. I’m looking forward to meeting you , Chief.
…and the 21st works for me.
I’m willing to go along with California Pizza Kitchen because my favorite Old Town restaurant, the Cajun Bangkok, has little in the way of vegetarian dishes, and we’ve got at least one vegger planning to attend.
So, who do we have so far?
Definite:
**
FairyChatMom
Lucretia** (and Bluesman, I hope?)
RTFirefly
pldennison (and the lovely Peta too?)
Attrayant
Olentzero
iampunha
Falcon
goboy
Maybe:
**
SqrlCub** (and dcnewsman?)
ChiefScott
BTW, FairyChatMom, I expect the Fairfax County public libraries have computers that would allow you to access the Web if necessary. And please check your email.
…left weirddave off the list. Mea culpa.
Checked my mail - thanks! 
And pizza is a definite good choice in my book. I’ll print out the link so I know where I’m headed. I’ll also be sure to wear a red carnation so you’ll know who I am!
[sub]I’ll probably wear MORE than just a carnation - I mean, it’s winter and all… ;)[/sub]
Yes, Bluesman will definitely be there, RT. So, is it pretty much the California Pizza Kitchen, then? May I be so bold as to suggest a time of around 4pm, or so? That way people that a driving a bit don’t get home too late.
Oh yes, and any Dopers around us that want to share a ride, just let us know. We are on Ft. Meade.
Wear all the carnations you like . . . this just reminded me of the scene in American Beauty . . .
umm, I haven’t seen the movie, but all I’ll allow is that I’m American… physical beauty is so fleeting… gravity is so cruel…
Works for me. I’ll bring pictures of Alex so he can attend. 
Yes, indeed, I’ll be there with PLD. RTF, “lovely” duly noted and ::blushing:: forthcoming. (I am EXCEEDINGLY tired right now…)
Alexandria is great for me/us!
Do you know where you’re staying? Perhaps Econo Lodge? (We stayed there one weekend before we moved down–its pretty nice and has kitchenette stuff.) FWIW there’s a public library on Sherwood Hall about a mile, maybe a mile and a half from Belvoir that has computers with Internet access that you can use. Of course, if that’s the info that RTF e-mailed you, I’ve jsut wasted valuable typing-time, haven’t I?
Falcon: You could sneak Alex in–we wouldn’t mind…I’d even help you get him passed the waitstaff.
LOL! Now that he’s healthy, Peta, he doesn’t like staying in one place too much…he’d be running all over the restaurant.
It WOULD be fun to sneak him in, tho…
Comfort Inn Mount Vernon on Rt 1 - gots me a 1-room king suite with a fridge and microwave… no hot tub tho <sigh>
Not sure where the closest Fairfax Co. library is, FCM, but the Sherwood Hall library’s just a couple blocks off Rt. 1 on the way back to the Comfort Inn.
Rt. 1 is level for a long time as you head north from Ft. Belvoir, then you dip into a low spot and out again, and right after that, Sherwood Hall Lane angles off to the right. Once on S.H. Lane, the library’s on your right, just after the light at Parker’s Lane, IIRC.
Peta or pld, any corrections, any landmarks to add? I may have grown up over there, but you’ve been living there these days, so you’re much more familiar with what things look like now than I am.
::grumble:: You go away for fifteen years, and they change everything around without consulting you.
Thanks, RTF… I’ll have most of the 15th to explore since I arrive just after 9AM. I figure I’ll drive to the campus and figure out where I’m allowed to park and which building will be mine.
BTW, it would be really nice if all you DC folk ensure that the weather will be mild for the duration of my visit, delicate flower of the south that I am…
HEY - STOP LAFFIN’!!!
<grumble grumble>
I will probably be able to make this get-together.
Fairy Chat Mom: You’re right in our area. There’s lots of shopping (strip center type) and a few restaurants in your immediate vicinity including a Denny’s right in front. If you haven’t had the opportunity, you must try the Krispy Kreme that’s a little ways down (1 or 2 miles) on Rt 1.
<Side Remark> I’ve always heard of KK and was excited to try them. They’re not as absolutely marvelous as I’d anticipated, but they do seem to be addictive (especially when you pass every morning and smell them cooking fresh batches).</Remark>
There’s also a movie theater fairly close (if you bored and need something to do). There’s a small bookstore not too far the other direction, and I can provide directions to some larger ones. You’re also not far from the Metro station (couple miles) so I recommend if you want to sight see or go to a larger retail mall (Pentagon City), you do it by Metro.
The one thing that this area (the Ft Belvoir area specifically) seems to lack are coffeehouses, but a 15-20 minute trip into Old Town yields a few!
RTF did pretty well with the library directions–that is the closest. While its really small (by our standards anyway), as I said, they do have computers with internet access. As for landmarks, the easiest is that there’s a big store right before the street that sells clothes for $10 (huge signs) and as soon as you turn (visible from Rt 1) is a long thrift store.
If you have questions about where to find something you need, just let me know.
Cheers!
Thanks for the info, Peta - I’m somewhat familiar with the DC area in general - reared in Baltimore, plus I lived near Fredericksburg for 3 years and made quite a few treks north. I’ve been to Pentagon City a couple of times. I figure Potomac Mills will be good for a visit, and I may actually FINALLY go to the Jefferson Memorial. Being a sailor, I HAVE to make a pilgrimmage to Annapolis and I’ve got a lunch date lined up in Laurel. If it wasn’t for the gawd-awful-dull training that I have to endure, this could be a fun trip!! At the very least, meeting everyone on the 21st should be the highlight, unless I decide to crash an inaugural ball…
And I am familiar with KK - there’s one a couple of miles from home… tho I’m never one to decline a donut, I don’t go out of my way to get KKs… personally, I find that the in-store bakeries at several grocery stores are quite good.